Beliefnet's politics and religion survey

Hmm, methinks this group needs to lighten up. Perhaps a disclaimer reading "For Entertainment Purposes Only" should be included.

I answered "not at all important" to most of the "political" issues listed, because I see most of them as cultural, not political. "Cleaning up government" was a notable exception, and the only one I listed as "most important."

But I couldn't find a link to the results. Rod, can you help? I'm especially curious about how the "religious leaders" question correlated with various responses. But where was Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on the list? ;-)

I would like to know when the results of the survey will be published. How long, O Lord, how long must we wait to find out what B'net members think?

Tried to post this earlier but perhaps the URLS got me "spammed" out?

RE: "I hope I'm not pandering to the crowd when I say that this blog really has some smart readers and commentators"

Flattery will get you nowhere! (however since my response doesn't belong in the flag thread, perhaps I may post it here?) You may like to listen in to podcasts of last week's BBC Radio 3 series "The Essay" on Augustine (part of their "Greek and Latin Voices" focus)

1/4. Maria Wyke www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/theessay/pip/ovpy4?focuswin

The Education of a Latinist - Augustine's penetratingly modern ideas about the teaching of classics to children.

2/4 Dr Rowan Williams www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/theessay/pip/e0von/

Augustine the teacher of the inner life - reflections on some of the aspects of Augustine's life and work which continue to move and engage the reader. (Texts read in this programme "Confessions Book 10, Chapter 8, Paragraphs 14 & 38")

3/4: Professor Gillian Clark www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/theessay/pip/tzs1y/

What Augustine didn't say. She explores the doctrine of the Just War, the idea that sex is sinful and the famous plea of 'give me chastity but not yet'. (Texts read in this programme "City of God Book 4 chapters 4 and 14: Sermon 224.3")

4/4 : Dr James J O'Donnell www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/theessay/pip/1ihcw/

One of Augustine's most respected biographers puts Augustine's life in context. (Texts read in this programme "Confessions Book 1, Chapter 1, Paragraph 1; Reconsiderations, preface and recalling of Confessions")

Now when the aspirants to the presidential laurel leaves begin to talk this intelligently maybe we can have a real debate, otherwise the whole exercise of the political will of the citizenry resembles more closely a modern version of a gladiator conquest.